Chapter 3 The Great Hall
A/N: I apologise for the incredibly long wait for this chapter, but the first few weeks of lower sixth have been a nightmare. Honestly if I had any more homework, I'd never come up for air! As it is I'm starting to sdjust so ought to be up-dating ATLEAST once a week, so all reviews are especially welcome, as they provide a great feeling of satisfaction, and a much needed ego boost after a messed up physics test.
Part 2 – Breakfast
With green eyes wide and unblinking, Harry listened to the sounds of his dormitory. He knew it was time for breakfast, as Ron was scampering around like a headless chicken, searching for various books, ties, shoes, and more. He could also hear quite, sensible Neville. He was muttering something about an extra credit project for Sprout. In a vaguely reminiscent mood, Harry pondered that having had Neville as a best friend might have worked to his advantage.
Earth to Harry. Hey 'Ri, has it occurred to you that we should head off to breakfast? I'm starved!
I know Luke, but I've been thinking.
Ooh, scary. Thinking, as much as you can, of what? If one might inquire.
Well, I was playing out in my mind what would have happened if I'd accepted Dr-Malfoy's hand of friendship instead of Ron's. Would it all have been so different? Or would they have used me, and leave as I am now.Luke pondered this for a moment.
I want to think about this 'Ri. Meeting in my soul room, at lunch. Don't be late…
As if I could be.
One very annoyed Malfoy was lurking outside the Main Hall. Where is he dammit! For a whole half hour he had been waiting for…someone, and they still hadn't shown up. Why don't they hurry up, if they don't father's plans won't work. Not that I care if they do of course, he reassured himself, it's just that life is so much easier if he pull's them off, he even smiles in public occasionally. With an irritated smile he continued his pacing, cursing under his breath.
Just as he was about to up and leave he heard the sound of that irritating unrefined nasal laugh that dragged the only female member of 'the golden trio' to the bottom of Draco's 'who to associate with' list. Honestly, you'd think she was a horse or something with a neigh like that… Still he was hardly complaining about it, as it implied that the object of his search was on the way. Melting back into the shadows he took it upon himself to listen to the approaching conversation.
"I don't get it Ron!" The mudblood didn't understand something? Draco rubbed his hands in glee. Black mail material here I come.
"Me neither 'Mione, how dare he call you that, I mean, he's almost as bad as Malfoy!"
Who was this? Had Draco found a co-conspirator in his quest to ruin the day-to-day lives of the weasel and the soon to be Weaslette?
"Why has Harry changed so much? I just wish he'd let me try some spell's on him, I read a lot about demon extortion over the summer. Didn't Ginny's encounter with Riddle's Diary teach him anything? How could he be so thoughtless!"
Wait, were they talking about…? No way. No way in Hades. In the past the Red-headed freak had turned on the boy-who-lived frequently, but never Granger. Merlin, you'd think she was in love with him the way she sticks by him, so naturally they can't be talking about Har-Potter. His name is Potter. Draco was so busy correcting himself that he didn't notice that he lost the thread of the conversation as the pair of Gryffindor's entered the main hall. Nor did he hear the silent footsteps as someone crept up behind him.
"Lost are we?" Draco jumped as warm breath ghosted over his neck. Shit. Who's behind me? I don't recognise the voice, what if? Morgana and Circe I'm in trouble! Attempting, and only partially succeeding, to keep his rising panic from his voice, Draco spoke.
"Who are you?" A slight waver betrayed him, and he cursed him self for it. A light chuckle from his mysterious assailant sent shivers of fear and delight down his spine. Merlin was that a perfect laugh. Unconsciously he stepped backwards, wanting once more to here that sweet sound, and feel that ghostly soft touch.
"Not lost?" His question was not ignored, he told himself, it was merely considered insignificant and therefore sophisticatedly put to one side. A Malfoy would settle for no less. "Well then. I would say you were…waiting for someone. Am I right?"
Unsure of what else to do, and distracted by the feather-light pressure on his neck he nodded. Another soft snicker resounded in the now empty corridor. "But my dear sir, who were you waiting for?" To his eternal shame, Draco nearly told him. Anything to here his voice, his laugh, his…touch again. His brain kicked in, breaking free from the emotion induced fog surrounding him. Bringing his Slytherin cunning to the for-front of his still not-quite-functioning mind he tried to gain the upper hand in the situation.
"Of what importance is that to you, s-?" A gentle, yet terrifying touch at his throat brought him up short. He couldn't be sure, but he'd bet the Malfoy fortune that it was a knife. His mouth went dry, his palms began to sweat, and despite his best effort he shook ever so slightly.
"Let's not get clever now, Mister Malfoy, the stakes are, I believe, slightly too high for your peace of mind. Just answer the question, if you would." The voice, which had previously been void of feeling now held an element of irritationand, amusement. Dragging together the last of his dignity, and for fear of his life (so he thought) he answered.
"Harry Potter."
Luke had been bored, so Harry had given him 'control'. As they slowly made their way towards the great hall they heard voices. Luke felt his blood boil as Harry's 'best friends' conversation drifted back to them. A low growl emitted from locked lips, and only the soothing touch of Harry in his mind prevented a confrontation. Despite all his best efforts, Harry was still a nice person. He walked faster though, hoping to get in a parting jibe if nought else.
However, he was distracted by a well concealed, but still visible, blonde head. What is he doing here? Harry perked up as he felt Luke's interest rise.
Luke? What's going on? A slightly evil chuckle brought a smirk to Harry's face. Ever since he'd met Luke he'd learned that that laugh meant something he would enjoy a lot, but probably get in trouble for was about to happen. How could he not smirk?
Panic not ickle 'Ri, I won't get you in trouble, just sit back and enjoy the show With cat like grace (perfected after a summer of training) they advanced on the unsuspecting person.
"Lost are we?" He restrained a laugh as his 'prey' jumped. Really, to see the legendary prince of slytherin jump like a startled five year old was hilarious. His game's voice betrayed him as he answered question with question. The fear in it physically hurt Luke, and his socius, but every good thing in life requires a sacrifice, and Luke was intrigued by the lurking antics of his 'arch-nemesis'.
"Not lost?" Brushing past the painful subject of panic, and terror, he continued with his detective work. Putting two and two together he proceeded with the interrogation. "Well then. I would say you were…waiting for someone. Am I right?" He watched the hesitant nod, delighting in the affect his warm breath had on his slytherin. Your slytherin Luke? Lets not get ahead of ourselves Luke ignored his socius. If he wanted this slytherin to be his, by Merlin and Morgana he would have him. All he had to do was keep control of the situation and protect his identity.
He watched with growing amusement as the divine creature before him almost answered. But it was the almost that disturbed his admiration. So the slytherin Adonis was remembering his heritage, now that couldn't be allowed, or everything else fell through. Slipping a hand discreetly to the small of his back he withdrew his favourite dagger. It was engraved with the runes for dragon, silver, and power, and a carved dragon with quicksilver eyes adorned the hilt. No surprises who it reminded him of.
"Of what importance is that to you, s-?" He cut him off. A blade to one's throat disrupted most trains of thought. Another shard of ice pierced Luke's heart. Threatening Draco had not been the plan, but he needed answers, and if his newly conceived idea was to work, then Draco's co-operation was essential.
"Let's not get clever now, Mister Malfoy, the stakes are, I believe, slightly too high for your peace of mind. Just answer the question, if you would." He couldn't help but let a bit of both his amusement and his ire through into his voice. After all, it wasn't everyday that you had Draco Malfoy practically begging for mercy, but this was taking to long. There was a moment of silence. Luke waited, on tender-hooks. Draco's soft, velvety voice produced two…unexpected words.
"Harry Potter."
As he mentioned those words, Draco new that whoever was behind him now dominated the situation. Draco had nothing left to hide, and everything to lose, where as his attacker was invisible, so to speak, and had given nothing away. What do I do? He thought desperately, I have to get out of this some way, but how? His frantic planning was pointless though as the owner of the knife spoke again.
"I think we should continue our chat somewhere else, don't you, Mister Malfoy? Breakfast ends soon and I'd hate to be interrupted." Draco felt his icy mask crumble. That had been his last hope, the idea that someone would get help when they left the great hall for lessons. He was doomed, he knew it.
A gasp escaped his lips as a body pressed up behind him. What was going on? Slowly, as if in some strange dance the stranger stepped backwards. One of his arms was now firmly around Draco's waist, and Draco couldn't help but notice how smooth, and well-muscled it was. With said arm, he was drawn back, following perfectly the steps of his captor. At length they reached an abandoned class room.
"After you, Mister Malfoy." The husky voice was right next to his ear. So close, that he could feel soft lips brush his skin. His shivers had nought to do with the temperature, as he opened the door, and made his way inside. He made out the sound of a locking charm, very advanced, being cast. Perfect, I'm trapped with this lunatic.
What our Malfoy heir did not expect was to find another charm begin cast. This time one to bind his hands, and one to cover his eyes. He was about to panic when an unanticipated reassurance came.
"Don't worry, young sir, the binding's are their purely for my continued anonymity in this conversation of ours. I have, at the moment, no intention of harming you in any way shape or form. I hope that will put your mind at ease." Recovering his voice, Draco articulated his confusion, straining to make his voice, calm.
"Excuse me sir, but you have me completely bemused by your actions. If your intentions are not to harm me, then why did you threaten me with a knife? Why am I bound before you, yet have no knowledge of your person. I seek explanation, and would be most gratified if you supplied one." He was rather impressed by that. More by the fact that he could still construct a full sentence, than his voice didn't waver.
That warm golden chuckle echoed around the room. Relaxing into the sound a small part of Draco's brain decided that this might not be so bad after all. Still, if he was late for potions Snape would have his head.
"I apologise for making you late to class, but I believe that Severus Snape is your godfather, so if you explain matter I'm sure he'll understand. As to your points; One, I did not intend to draw my knife on you, but one must adapt to ones situation, still I apologise for the inconvenience; Two, I remain unseen by you, as it suits my purpose, and also, one believes that you would judge one by appearance, which I currently, cannot afford. Yet pure blood courtesy demands that I at least tell you my name, so I shall. I am Luke Evans, mister Malfoy, the socius of an acquaintance of yours, though I doubt you recognise the name."
Evans, Evans, Evans. As he speaks of pureblood courtesy I assume he is pureblood, but the name means nothing. And what's a socius? Draco's thoughts finally left the magic cords binding him, as the new problem infiltrated his senses. Determined to be civilised to someone who had, despite his ability not to, told him his name he attempted to strike up conversation.
"You spoke of conversation, Mister Evans-"
"Luke, if you please." Draco blinked. This is so weird. First I'm practically forced into this abandoned room by an armed stranger, and now he's telling me to call him by his first name! Could this morning get any more confusing?
"Luke then. What topic were topic's are you interested in discussing?" He kept in the subservient role, despite how it chaffed his pride, but he was in no rush for a re-introduction to that blade, whatever his cap- Luke said.
"I think, Mister Malfoy, we should cover some basics. For a start, your truthful opinions of some students here, we shall begin with Ron Weasley. I am lead to believe that there is a certain…enmity between your family and his." Draco laughed despite himself. True, he may be in a abandoned, unknown room, blindfolded, bound hand and foot, wand-less, and in the company of a complete stranger, (well not complete, Draco corrected himself, as I know is name. Luke), and yet he felt completely at ease. So at ease that he found himself answering, again.
"My opinion of the Weasel? Just that. I loathe his obvious, recurring inadequacies, his lack of good breeding, his near poverty, his obvious deficiency in many key areas, for example: brains, without his weaslette he would fail every subject, perhaps not DADA, but then Ha-Potter could probably out smart any teacher we've had so far, really the professors hired are simply deplorable." He stopped abruptly. Talk about letting his mouth run away from him. And had he almost said Harry? What in the seven circles of hell was wrong with him?
Luke over-looked the fact that Draco's had nearly said his, well Harry's name, but he could feel …something radiating from Harry's presence in his mind. Was his little socius happy, or what. Ah well, he thought to himself, all in a day's work.
A/N: any idea's or input for future chapters are welcome, as the plotis far from finalised. Check ya later!
